Information processing device, data transmission method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

An information processing device is provided together with other information processing devices in a network and is capable of communicating with a server, and includes: a data communicator that transmits a predetermined kind of information about the respective other information processing devices to the server when the information processing device is in a first mode, and transmits the predetermined kind of information about the information processing device to a device functioning in the first mode when the information processing device is in a second mode; an acquisitor that acquires load information; a determiner that determines a smallest load device; a mode setter that performs a mode setting process to realize a state where in the device determined to be the smallest load device is in the first mode, and the other devices are in the second mode; and a mode notifier that notifies the other information processing devices of the state.

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2017-108983, filed on Jun. 1, 2017, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Technological Field

The present invention relates to a technology for collectivelytransmitting data of devices provided in a network to a server or thelike.

Description of the Related Art

Image forming devices called multifunction peripherals (MFP) have becomecommon. Image forming devices are installed in a network, and, in such anetwork, an image forming device transmits data to the other imageforming devices or receives data from the other image forming devices.Further, via the Internet, an image forming device transmits data to adevice outside the network or receives data from an external device.

JP 2007-306138 A and JP 2011-164862 A disclose such technologies for animage forming device to exchange data with a device in the same networkor a device outside the network.

In a document delivery system disclosed in JP 2007-306138 A, the CPUload is determined, and jobs are appropriately distributed. An MFP isprovided in a network, and document delivery devices are also providedin the network. In accordance with user operations, the MFP performsscanning, copying, printing, and facsimile transmission. In an operationof a document delivery device, digitized documents (jobs) sent from aninput device are received, and the jobs are distributed in accordancewith the load on the CPU of the cooperating server. The distributed jobsare then executed.

In a management system disclosed in JP 2011-164862 A, when atransmission destination of operation information about an image formingdevice is set in a monitoring device, the image forming device is putinto a transmission mode in which operation information is collected inresponse to a request from the monitoring device, or a transmission modein which the operation information is collected by the image formingdevice voluntarily performing transmission, in accordance with the typeof the operation information to be collected.

When an image forming device transmits data to a server outside thenetwork, a transmission delay is not preferable in some cases.

For example, in a case where a user who has used a service of an imageforming device is charged, a delay in transmission of the charging datafor charging the user to an external charging server might affect theoperation of collecting fees. Further, in a case where the image formingdevice breaks down, a delay in transmission of failure data indicating afailure of the image forming device to an external maintenance servermight delay the response to the failure.

Particularly, in a case where there are image forming devices in onenetwork, and one of the image forming devices collectively transmits theinformation about all the image forming to devices to an externalserver, the transmission is sometimes delayed.

The inventions disclosed in JP 2007-306138 A and JP 2011-164862 A do notconcern an image forming device that collectively transmits data to anexternal device, and therefore, cannot solve the above problem.

SUMMARY

In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is toprovide an information processing device such as an image forming devicethat collectively transmits its own data and data of other informationprocessing devices with a shorter delay than that in a conventionalcase.

To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided an information processing device,reflecting one aspect of the present invention, that is providedtogether with a plurality of other information processing devices in anetwork and is capable of communicating with a server, the informationprocessing device comprising: a data communicator that transmits apredetermined kind of information about the respective other informationprocessing devices to the server when the information processing deviceis in a first mode, and transmits the predetermined kind of informationabout the information processing device to a device functioning in thefirst mode among the other information processing devices when theinformation processing device is in a second mode; an acquisitor thatacquires load information about a load of each of the other informationprocessing devices; a determiner that determines a smallest load devicethat is the device having the smallest load among the other informationprocessing devices and the information processing device, in accordancewith the acquired load information and the load information about theinformation processing device; a mode setter that performs a modesetting process to realize a state where the device determined to be thesmallest load device is in the first mode, and the other devices are inthe second mode, among the other information processing devices and theinformation processing device; and a mode notifier that notifies theother information processing devices of the state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of theinvention will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are givenby way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example overall configuration of a dataaggregation system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example hardware configuration of animage processing device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example functional configuration of animage processing device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example data flow in a master mode;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example data flow in a slave mode;

FIGS. 6A through 6C are tables showing examples of mode data;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing respective example process flows ina server and image processing devices;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing respective example process flows ina server and image processing devices;

FIGS. 9A through 9C show examples of attribute-load relation tables;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example flow in an overallprocess to be performed by an image processing device;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example flow in a next periodpreparation process; and

FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of transition of a load value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of theinvention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example overall configuration of a dataaggregation system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example hardwareconfiguration of an image processing device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the data aggregation system 100 includes a server 2,a communication line 4, and a local area network (LAN) 50.

The data aggregation system 100 is a system that acquires data throughimage processing devices 1, and collectively manages the data in theserver 2.

The LAN 50 includes the image processing devices 1, terminal devices 51,a router 52, and a communication line 59. The terminal devices 51 may bepersonal computers, tablet computers, smartphones, or the like.

The respective image processing devices 1, the respective terminaldevices 51, and the router 52 can communicate with one another via thecommunication line 59. The communication line 59 is formed with a hub, atwisted pair cable, or the like. In a case where a so-called wirelessLAN is used, a wireless base station is further provided for thecommunication line 59.

The router 52 connects the LAN 50 to another network. A device (an imageprocessing device 1 or a terminal device 51) in the LAN 50 is connectedto the server 2 by the router 52.

An image processing device 1 and the server 2 can communicate with eachother via the communication line 4. The communication line 4 may be theInternet, a dedicated line, a public line, or the like.

In the description below, the image processing devices 1 will besometimes referred to as the “image processing device 1A”, the “imageprocessing device 1B”, the “image processing device 1C”, and the like.

In each of these image processing devices 1, the two communication modesof “master mode” and “slave mode” are prepared, and one of them isselectively set.

The “master mode” is a mode in which the image processing device 1receives data from another image processing device 1, and uploads thedata together with its own data to the server 2. The “slave mode” is amode in which the image processing device 1 transmits its own data toanother image processing device 1 whose communication mode is the mastermode.

In the description below, an image processing device 1 in the mastermode will be sometimes referred to as a “master MFP”, and an imageprocessing device 1 in the slave mode will be sometimes referred to as a“slave MFP”.

Only one image processing device 1 functions as a master MFP in oneperiod (one day, for example), and the other image processing devices 1function as slave MFPs. Therefore, one image processing device 1collectively transmits its own data and the data of all the other imageprocessing devices 1 to the server 2. The communication mode isappropriately changed each time the period changes. For example, in acase where the period is one day (24 hours from 0 am to 12 pm on thesame day), the communication mode is changed as appropriate every timethe date changes.

The following is a description of an example case where device data 6Ais handled as such data. The device data 6A is data that includesinformation about hardware modules or expendable items, such as theamount of space in an auxiliary storage device 10 d (see FIG. 2), theremaining number of paper sheets, the remaining amount of toner, and thecumulative number of printed sheets in a print unit 10 j, and theremaining number of staples in a stapler in a finisher 10 k.

An image processing device 1 is a device that collectively has functionssuch as a copy function, a PC print function, a facsimile function, ascanner function, and a box function. Such a device is generally called“multifunction peripherals (MFP)” or the like in some cases.

The PC print function is a function of printing an image on a papersheet in accordance with image data received from the terminal device51. This function is also called “network printing” or “network print”in some cases.

The box function is a function for allocating a storage area called a“box” or a “personal box” to each user, and allowing each user to storeand manage image data and the like in his/her own storage area.Alternatively, a box may be prepared for each group so that the membersof the same group can share the box. The box corresponds to a “folder”or a “directory” in a personal computer.

As shown in FIG. 2, an image processing device 1 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 10 a, a random access memory (RAM) 10 b, a readonly memory (ROM) 10 c, an auxiliary storage device 10 d, a touch paneldisplay 10 e, an operation key panel 10 f, a network interface card(NIC) 10 g, a modem 10 h, a scan unit 10 i, a print unit 10 j, and afinisher 10 k.

The touch panel display 10 e displays a screen showing a message to theuser, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screenshowing the results of processing performed by the CPU 10 a, and thelike. The touch panel display 10 e also sends a signal indicating atouched position to the CPU 10 a.

The operation key panel 10 f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and isformed with a ten-key pad, a start key, a stop key, function keys, andthe like.

The NIC 10 g communicates with another device with a protocol such asTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

The modem 10 h exchanges image data with a facsimile terminal with aprotocol such as G3.

The scan unit 10 i reads an image drawn/written on a sheet set on theplaten glass, and then generates image data.

The print unit 10 j prints, on a paper sheet, not only an image read bythe scan unit 10 i but also an image received from another device by theNIC 10 g or the modem 10 h.

The finisher 10 k subjects a printed material obtained by the print unit10 j to post-processing as necessary. The post-processing is a bindingprocess with staples, a punch hole opening process, a folding process,or the like.

The ROM 10 c or the auxiliary storage device 10 d stores a program forachieving the respective functions such as the copy function describedabove. The auxiliary storage device 10 d also stores a job scheduled tobe executed by the image processing device 1, and a job list indicatingexecuted jobs. The auxiliary storage device 10 d may be a hard diskdrive, a solid state drive (SSD), or the like.

The ROM 10 c or the auxiliary storage device 10 d also stores a datatransmission/reception program 10P (see FIG. 3). The datatransmission/reception program 10P is a program fortransmitting/receiving the device data 6A (described later) to/fromanother image processing device 1 or transmitting the device data 6A tothe server 2.

These programs are loaded into the RAM 10 b as necessary, and areexecuted by the CPU 10 a.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the server 2 receives the device data 6A ofeach image processing device 1. The server 2 then analyzes the receiveddevice data 6A, and in accordance with the results of the analysis,determines a more preferable installation site for each image processingdevice 1, the intervals or the timing to replenish expendable supplies,the time for inspection, or the like. The server 2 can also transmitdata indicating the details of a determination to an image processingdevice 1. That is, the server 2 can also function as a device thatanalyzes big data and feeds back results in a cyber physical system. Inthe server 2, a program for receiving and analyzing the device data 6Ais installed. The server 2 is a cloud server or a so-called serverdevice.

According to the data transmission/reception program 10P, the master MFPcan collectively transmit the device data 6A of the respective imageprocessing devices 1 to the server 2 with a shorter delay than that in aconventional case.

The following is a description of this mechanism in an example casewhere the image processing devices 1 provided in the LAN 50 are threeimage processing devices 1A, 1B, and 1C, the image processing device 1Ais the master MFP and the image processing devices 1B and 1C are slaveMFPs in the first period, and each period is one day (which is theperiod from 0 am to 12 pm on the same day).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example functional configuration of animage processing device 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example dataflow in the master mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example dataflow in the slave mode. FIGS. 6A through 6C are tables showing examplesof mode data 6G. FIGS. 7 and 8 are sequence diagrams showing respectiveto example process flows in the server 2 and the image processingdevices 1A through 1C. FIGS. 9A through 9C show respective examples ofattribute-load relation tables 6T1 through 6T3.

The data transmission/reception program 10P is designed to form a moderewriting unit 101, a mode determining unit 102, a device data acquiringunit 103, a device data transmitting unit 104, an uploading unit 105, aload calculating unit 106, a load value data acquiring unit 107, a loadvalue data transmitting unit 108, a next mode setting unit 121, a datatransmitting unit 122, a data receiving unit 123, a mode data storageunit 131, an authentication data storage unit 132, and a table storageunit 133, which are shown in FIG. 3.

In the description below, the functions of the respective units shown inFIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 9C. In themaster MFP, which is the image processing device 1A, data exchange isconducted as shown in FIG. 4. Meanwhile, in the slave MFPs, which arethe image processing devices 1B and 1C, data exchange is conducted asshown in FIG. 5.

The mode data storage unit 131 of each of the image processing devices1A through 1C stores mode data 6G indicating the identifier of thecorresponding image processing device 1, the current mode, and the nextmode, as shown in FIGS. 6A through 6C.

The “current mode” is the communication mode to be set in the currentperiod. The “next mode” is the communication mode scheduled to be set inthe next period.

The default value of the current mode of the mode data 6G is blank(NULL), and the value of the next mode is of the communication mode tobe set in the first period. The value of the next mode may be determinedfreely by the user in advance. However, there is only one set of modedata 6G in which the value of the next mode is “master”.

For example, the user designates “master” as the next mode of one imageprocessing device 1 of the image processing devices 1A through 1C, byoperating the touch panel display 10 e of the image processing device1A. In this example, “master” is designated as the next mode of theimage processing device 1A.

The mode data storage unit 131 of the image processing device 1A thengenerates the mode data 6G of each of the image processing devices 1Athrough 1C, and stores the generated mode data 6G as shown in FIG. 6A.The generated mode data 6G is also transmitted to the other imageprocessing devices 1 (the image processing devices 1B and 1C). Thetransmitted mode data 6G is then stored into the mode data storage unit131 of each of the other image processing devices 1.

The authentication data storage unit 132 stores authentication data 6F.The to authentication data 6F is the data indicating information (suchas a user code and a password) for logging in to the server 2. However,at the beginning of execution of the data transmission/reception program10P, the authentication data 6F is stored only in the authenticationdata storage unit 132 of the master MFP. In this example, theauthentication data 6F is stored only in the authentication data storageunit 132 of the image processing device 1A.

[Acquisition of Device Data 6A and Transmission to the Server 2 in theFirst Period]

The image processing devices 1A through 1C perform processing throughthe procedures shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Upon detecting the start of a new period (#600, #620, and #640), themode rewriting unit 101 of each of the image processing devices 1Athrough 1C rewrites the mode data 6G stored in the corresponding modedata storage unit 131 as follows (#601, #621, and #641). The value ofthe current mode of each set of mode data 6G is rewritten to the valueof the next mode. The value of the next mode of each set of mode data 6Gis cleared. That is, the value of the next mode is rewritten to blank(NULL).

In this example, each mode rewriting unit 101 detects the start of a newperiod when the timer built in the image processing device 1 indicates“0 am”.

In this example, the mode rewriting unit 101 of each of the imageprocessing devices 1A through 1C also rewrites the mode data 6G as shownin FIG. 6B. Specifically, the value of the current mode of the imageprocessing device 1A is rewritten to “master”, and the value of the nextmode is rewritten to NULL. The current mode value of each of the imageprocessing devices 1B and 1C is rewritten to “slave”, and the value ofthe next mode is rewritten to NULL.

As the mode data 6G is rewritten (updated) in this manner, thecommunication modes for the current period are set. In this example, themaster mode is set as the communication mode of the image processingdevice 1A, and the slave mode is set as the communication mode of theimage processing device 1B and the communication mode of the imageprocessing device 1C.

In accordance with the mode data 6G stored as its own mode data 6Grewritten by the mode rewriting unit 101, the mode determining unit 102of each of the image processing devices 1A through 1C determines its owncurrent communication mode (#602, #622, and #642). Specifically, whenthe value of the current mode of the mode data 6G stored in the modedata storage unit 131 of the image processing device 1A is “master”, themode determining unit 102 of the image processing device 1A determinesthe communication to be the master mode. When the value of the currentmode is “slave”, the mode determining unit 102 determines the tocommunication mode to be the slave mode.

In this example, the mode determining unit 102 of the image processingdevice 1A determines that the communication mode of the image processingdevice 1A in the current (first) period is the master mode. The modedetermining unit 102 of each of the image processing devices 1B and 1Cdetermines that the communication mode of each of the image processingdevices 1B and 1C in the current period is the slave mode.

The device data acquiring unit 103 of each of the master MFP and theslave MFPs acquires its own current device data 6A as follows (#603,#623, and #643), for example.

The device data acquiring unit 103 inquires of its own operating systemabout the free space in the auxiliary storage device 10 d.Alternatively, the device data acquiring unit 103 inquires of its ownprint unit 10 j about the remaining amount of paper, the remainingamount of toner, and the cumulative number of printed sheets.Alternatively, the device data acquiring unit 103 inquires of its ownfinisher 10 k about the remaining number of staples. The device dataacquiring unit 103 then generates the device data 6A that is dataindicating a response obtained as a result of the inquiry. In thismanner, the device data 6A is acquired. In addition to the above, thedevice data 6A indicates the identifier of its own device.

Further, the device data acquiring unit 103 of the master MFP requestsand acquires the current device data 6A of the respective slave MFPsfrom the slave MFPs. In this example, the device data acquiring unit 103of the image processing device 1A requests the device data 6A from theimage processing devices 1B and 1C (#604 through #607).

In response to the request from the device data acquiring unit 103 ofthe master MFP, the device data transmitting unit 104 of each slave MFPtransmits the device data 6A of its own device to the master MFP. Thatis, the device data transmitting unit 104 generates and executes atransmission data transmission job. In this example, the device datatransmitting unit 104 of each of the image processing devices 1B and 1Ctransmits the device data 6A of its own device to the image processingdevice 1A (#624, #625, #644, and #645).

The uploading unit 105 of the master MFP collectively transmits thedevice data 6A of the master MFP and the device data 6A of therespective slave MFPs to the server 2. The uploading unit 105 generatesand executes a transmission data transmission job. It should be notedthat the uploading unit 105 reads the authentication data 6F from theauthentication data storage unit 132, and logs in to the server 2 inadvance using the authentication data 6F. In this example, the uploadingunit 105 of the image processing device 1A collectively uploads thedevice data 6A of its own device acquired in step #603 and the devicedata 6A of the respective to image processing devices 1B and 1C acquiredin steps #605 and #607 to the server 2 (#608).

[Preparation for the Next Period]

In each of the image processing devices 1A through 1C, a process ofpreparing for transmission of the device data 6A to the server 2 in thenext period is performed as follows.

The load calculating unit 106 of each of the image processing devices 1Athrough 1C performs a process of calculating the current load value L.The “load value L” is a value indicating the level of the load thathinders (delays) generation and prompt execution of a job fortransmitting the device data 6A through the device data transmittingunit 104 or the uploading unit 105. Hereinafter, this job will besometimes referred to as the “device data transmission job”.

Where a PC print job (a job of PC printing), a copy job (job ofcopying), or a transmission job (a job of reading an image with the scanunit 10 i and transmitting the image to another device through the NIC10 g) is being executed, or two or more of these jobs are being executedat the same time, sufficient resources (the CPU 10 a, the RAM 10 b, theauxiliary storage device 10 d, the NIC 10 g, the communication line 4,and the like) might not be allocated for the device data transmissionjob. As a result, generation of the device data transmission job isdelayed, or completion of execution thereof is delayed.

Also, if there is a job waiting to be executed before the device datatransmission job, the start of execution of the device data transmissionjob might be delayed.

In other words, a job that is being executed or is waiting to beexecuted might become a hinderance to generation or prompt execution ofthe device data transmission job.

Therefore, the load calculating unit 106 calculates the load value L asdescribed below, in accordance with the job being executed or waiting tobe executed. Hereinafter, a job being executed or waiting to be executedwill be referred to as a “preceding job”. It should be noted that apreceding job can be identified from the job list stored in theauxiliary storage device 10 d.

From the operating system, the job manager, or the like, the loadcalculating unit 106 acquires the job data 6C of each of the precedingjobs of its own image processing device 1 at a predetermined time duringthe current period. The job data 6C indicates not only the type of thepreceding job but also the attribute corresponding to the type.

For example, the job data 6C of a PC print job indicates a print pagenumber, a resolution, a data size, and an image type.

The “print page number” is the number of pages to be printed. The“resolution” is the resolution of the image to be printed. The “datasize” is the size of the data of the image to be printed, the data beingtransmitted from a terminal device 51 as the request source. The “imageto type” is the type of the image to be printed.

The job data 6C of a transmission job indicates a transmission pagenumber, a resolution, a file format, and optical character reader (OCR)compatibility. The “transmission page number” is the number of pages tobe transmitted. The “resolution” is the resolution of image reading bythe scan unit 10 i. The “file format” is the file format of the image tobe transmitted. That is, the “file format” indicates into which formatthe read image has been converted. The “OCR compatibility” indicateswhether to generate text data by performing OCR processing on thecharacters included in the image to be transmitted.

The job data 6C of a copy job indicates a document number, imagesynthesis suitability, booklet suitability, and color conversionsuitability.

The “document number” is the number of documents to be copied. The“image synthesis suitability” indicates whether to combine another image(a watermark, a security mark, or the like) with an image read by thescan unit 10 i. The “booklet suitability” indicates whether to copy thedocument in such a manner as to form a booklet. The “color conversionsuitability” indicates whether to convert the colors of the image readby the scan unit 10 i (for example, whether to convert a multicolorimage into a monochrome image).

The predetermined time is the time at which the device data acquiringunit 103 starts acquiring the device data 6A, for example.Alternatively, the predetermined time is the time when the currentperiod starts (0 am in this example). The predetermined time may also bea predetermined time (one hour, for example) after the start of thecurrent period. The predetermined time may also be a predetermined time(10 minutes, for example) before the end of the current period.

Meanwhile, the table storage unit 133 stores attribute-load relationtables 6T1 through 6T3.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the attribute-load relation table 6T1 shows loadvalues Ra through Rd. Specifically, the load values Ra through Rd areshown as follows.

For each print page number Fa, the load value to be applied to otherjobs in a case where the print page number in the print job is the printpage number Fa is shown as the load value Ra. In this example, loadvalues Ra1, Ra2, Ra3, and Ra4 are shown as the load values Ra for “1 to10 pages”, “11 to 30 pages”, “31 to 50 pages”, and “51 pages or more”,respectively. Here, Ra1<Ra2<Ra3<Ra4. For example, Ra1=1, Ra2=2, Ra3=3,and Ra4=4. The larger the print page number Fa, the greater the loadvalue Ra.

For each resolution Fb, the load value to be applied to other jobs in acase where the resolution of the print job is the resolution Fb isindicated as the load value Rb. In this example, load values Rb1, Rb2,and Rb3 are shown as the load values Rb for “300 dpi”, “600 dpi”, and“1200 dpi”, respectively.

Here, Rb1<Rb2<Rb3. For example, Rb1=1, Rb2=2, and Rb3=3. The higher theresolution Fb, the greater the load value Rb.

For each data size Fc, the load value to be applied to other jobs in acase where the data size in the print job is the data size Fc isindicated as the load value Rc. In this example, load values Rc1, Rc2,and Rc3 are shown as the load values Rc for “less than 1M byte”, “1Mbyte or more and less than 10M bytes”, and “10M bytes or more”,respectively.

Here, Rc1<Rc2<Rc3. For example, Rc1=1, Rc2=2, and Rc3=3. The larger thedata size Fc, the greater the load value Rc.

For each image type Fd, the load value to be applied to other jobs in acase where the type of the image to be printed in the print job is theimage type Fd is indicated as the load value Rd. In this example, loadvalues Rd1, Rd2, and Rd3 are shown as the load values Rd for a“characters only” image formed only with characters, a “figure(s)included” image including one or more figures, and a “picture(s)included” image including one or more pictures, respectively.

Here, Rd1<Rd2<Rd3. For example, Rd1=1, Rd2=2, and Rd3=3.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the attribute-load relation table 6T2 shows loadvalues Sa through Sd. Specifically, the load values Sa through Sd areshown as follows.

For each transmission page number Ga, the load value to be applied toother jobs in a case where the transmission page number in thetransmission job is the transmission page number Ga is shown as the loadvalue Sa. In this example, load values Sa1, Sa2, Sa3, and Sa4 are shownas the load values Sa for “1 to 10 pages”, “11 to 30 pages”, “31 to 50pages”, and “51 pages or more”, respectively.

Here, Sa1<Sa2<Sa3<Sa4. For example, Sa1=1, Sa2=2, Sa3=3, and Sa4=4. Thelarger the transmission page number Ga, the greater the load value Sa.

For each resolution Gb, the load value to be applied to other jobs in acase where the resolution (the read resolution) of the transmission jobis the resolution Gb is indicated as the load value Sb. In this example,load values Sb1, Sb2, and Sb3 are shown as the load values Sb for “200dpi”, “300 dpi”, and “600 dpi”, respectively.

Here, Sb1<Sb2<Sb3. For example, Sb1=1, Sb2=2, and Sb3=3. The higher theresolution Gb, the greater the load value Sb.

For each file format Gc, the load value to be applied to other jobs in acase where the file format of the file to be used in the transmissionjob is the file format Gc is indicated as the load value Sc. In thisexample, load values Sc1, Sc2, and Sc3 are shown as the load values Scfor “compact Portable Document Format (PDF)”, “Joint PhotographicExperts Group (JPEG)”, and “PDF”, respectively.

Here, Sc1<Sc2<Sc3. For example, Sc1=1, Sc2=2, and Sc3=3.

For each OCR compatibility Gd, the load value to be applied to otherjobs in each of cases where OCR processing is to be performed in thetransmission job and where OCR processing is not to be performed in thetransmission job is shown as the load value Sd. In this example, loadvalues Sd1 and Sd2 are shown as the load values Sd for a case wherethere is OCR compatibility and a case where there is no OCRcompatibility, respectively. Here, Sd1<Sd2. For example, Sd1=1, andSd2=2.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the attribute-load relation table 6T3 shows loadvalues Ua through Ud. Specifically, the load values Ua through Ud areshown as follows.

For each document number Ha, the load value to be applied to other jobsin a case where the document number in the copy job is the documentnumber Ha is shown as the load value Ua. In this example, load valuesUa1, Ua2, Ua3, and Ua4 are shown as the load values Ua for “1 to 10sheets”, “11 to 30 sheets”, “31 to 50 sheets”, and “51 or more sheets”,respectively.

Here, Ua1<Ua2<Ua3<Ua4. For example, Ua1=1, Ua2=2, Ua3=3, and Ua4=4. Thelarger the document number Ha, the greater the load value Ua.

For each image synthesis suitability Hb, the load value to be applied toother jobs in each of cases where image synthesis is to be performed inthe copy job and where image synthesis is not to be performed in thecopy job is shown as the load value Ub. In this example, load values Ub1and Ub2 are shown as the load values Ub for a case where image synthesisis to be performed and a case where image synthesis is not to beperformed, respectively. Here, Ub1<Ub2. For example, Ub1=1, and Ub2=2.

For each booklet suitability Hc, the load value to be applied to otherjobs in each of cases where copying is to be performed to form a bookletin the copy job and copying is to be performed not to form a booklet inthe copy job is shown as the load value Uc. In this example, load valuesUc1 and Uc2 are shown as the load values Uc for a case where there isbooklet suitable and a case where there is no booklet suitability,respectively. Here, Uc1<Uc2. For example, Uc1=1, and Uc2=2.

For each color conversion suitability Hd, the load value to be appliedto other jobs in to each of cases where color conversion is to beperformed in the copy job and where color conversion is not to beperformed in the copy job is shown as the load value Ud. In thisexample, load values Ud1 and Ud2 are shown as the load values Ud for acase where there is color conversion suitability and a case where thereis no color conversion suitability, respectively. Here, Ud1<Ud2. Forexample, Ud1=1, and Ud2=2.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, the load calculating unit 106calculates the load value V of a preceding job as follows. The loadvalues corresponding to the respective values indicated in the job data6C of the preceding job are extracted from the table corresponding tothe type of the preceding job among the attribute-load relation tables6T1 through 6T3.

The respective extracted values are then substituted into the expressioncorresponding to the type of the preceding job among the followingexpressions (1) through (3).

<In the case of a print job>

V=Ra+Rb+Rc+Rd  (1)

<In the case of a transmission job>

V=Sa+Sb+Sc+Sd  (2)

<In the case of a copy job>

V=Ua+Ub+Uc+Ud  (3)

For example, in a case where the job is a print job, and the job data 6Cthereof shows “8 sheets”, “1200 dpi”, “7 MB”, and “characters only” asthe print page number, the resolution, the data size, and the imagetype, respectively, the load values Ra1, Rb3, Rc2, and Rd1 are extractedas the load values Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd, respectively. The load value V isthen calculated by substituting the load values Ra1, Rb3, Rc2, and Rd1into the expression (1). Thus, “Ra1+Rb3+Rc2+Rd1” is calculated as theload value V.

In a case where there are two or more preceding jobs, the loadcalculating unit 106 calculates the load value V of each of thepreceding jobs by the above described method.

The load calculating unit 106 then calculates the sum of the load valuesV of the respective preceding jobs as the load value L.

In this embodiment, the load values Ra through Rd, the load values Sathrough Sc, and the load value Ua are determined in accordance with theattribute-load relation tables 6T1, 6T2, and 6T3, respectively. However,these values may be determined from functions. Each of these tables andfunctions should be prepared by executing the respective kinds of jobsunder varying conditions and measuring the times required for completionof the respective jobs, for example.

For each image processing device 1, the load values Ra through Rd, theload values Sa to through Sd, and the load values Ua through Ud may beadjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the image processingdevice 1.

The load value data acquiring unit 107 of the master MFP, which is theimage processing device 1A, requests and acquires the load values L ofthe respective slave MFPs from the respective slave MFPs (#610 through#613).

The load value data transmitting unit 108 of each of the slave MFPs,which are the image processing devices 1B and 1C, transmits dataindicating the load value L calculated by the load calculating unit 106of its own device, in response to a request from the load value dataacquiring unit 107 of the master MFP (#627 and #628, and #647 and #648).Hereinafter, the load values L calculated by the load calculating units106 of the image processing devices 1A, 1B, and 1C will be sometimesreferred to as the “load value L1”, the “load value L2”, and the “loadvalue L3”, respectively.

The next mode setting unit 121 of the master MFP performs a process ofsetting the communication mode in the period next to the current period,or a process of determining the value of the next mode of the mode data6G, in the following manner (#614).

The next mode setting unit 121 of the master MFP determines the smallestload value L among the respective load values L of the master MFP andthe slave MFPs (or among the load values L1 through L3). The next modesetting unit 121 identifies the image processing device 1 correspondingto the smallest load value L. The next mode setting unit 121 thenupdates the value of the next mode of the mode data 6G of the identifiedimage processing device 1 to “master”, and updates the value of the nextmode of the mode data 6G of each of the other image processing devices 1to “slave”.

For example, in a case where the next mode setting unit 121 of themaster MFP determines that the load value L2 is the smallest, the nextmode setting unit 121 identifies the image processing device 1B as theimage processing device 1 corresponding to the load value L2. The nextmode setting unit 121 then updates the next mode of the mode data 6G ofthe image processing device 1B to “master”, and updates the next mode ofthe mode data 6G of each of the image processing devices 1A and 1C to“slave”, as shown in FIG. 6C.

After the value of the next mode of the mode data 6G of each imageprocessing device 1 is updated, the data transmitting unit 122 of themaster MFP reads the updated mode data 6G from the mode data storageunit 131, and transmits the mode data 6G to each slave MFP (#615 and#616).

The data transmitting unit 122 of the master MFP also reads theauthentication data 6F from the authentication data storage unit 132,and transmits the authentication data 6F to the image processing device1 in which “master” is set as the next mode in the mode data 6G (#617).The authentication data 6F is then deleted from the authentication datastorage unit 132 (#618). However, in a case where this image processingdevice 1 is the master MFP, neither transmission nor deletion of theauthentication data 6F is performed.

Upon receiving the mode data 6G from the master MFP (#629 and #649), thedata receiving units 123 of the slave MFPs store the mode data 6G intotheir own mode data storage units 131 (#630 and #650). In a case wherethe authentication data 6F is further received (#631), theauthentication data 6F is stored into the authentication data storageunit 132 (#632).

[Acquisition of Device Data 6A and Transmission to the Server 2 in theSecond and Subsequent Periods]

In the second and subsequent periods, the image processing devices 1Athrough 1C perform the same process as the above described steps #601through #618, the same process as the above described steps #621 through#632, and the same process as the above described steps #641 through#650, every time a new period starts.

However, the image processing device 1 in which “master” is set as thenext mode in the mode data 6G in the previous period performs a processas the master MFP, or the same process as steps #601 through #618.Further, each image processing device 1 in which “slave” is set as thenext mode in the mode data 6G in the previous period performs a processas a slave MFP, or the same process as steps #621 through #632 or steps#641 through #650.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example flow in an overallprocess to be performed by an image processing device 1. FIG. 11 is aflowchart for explaining an example flow in a next period preparationprocess.

Next, the flow in a process to be performed by an image processingdevice 1 is described, with reference to the flowcharts. The imageprocessing device 1 performs the process through the procedures shown inFIG. 10, in accordance with the data transmission/reception program 10P.

Upon detecting the start of a new period, the image processing device 1updates the stored mode data 6G (#701 in FIG. 10). Specifically, theimage processing device 1 changes the value of the current mode to thevalue of the next mode, and clears the value of the next mode. Inaccordance with the updated mode data 6G, the image processing device 1determines its own communication mode in the current period (#702).

In a case where the communication mode is the master mode (Yes in #703),the image processing device 1 acquires its own device data 6A (#704),and requests and receives the device to data 6A from each slave MFP(#705). The image processing device 1 then logs in to the server 2 byusing the authentication data 6F, and uploads, to the server 2, its owndevice data 6A and the device data 6A received from each slave MFP(#706).

In parallel with or before or after steps #704 through #706, the imageprocessing device 1 carries out the procedures shown in FIG. 11, toperform the next period preparation process (#707) for preparing fortransmission of the device data 6A in the next period.

The image processing device 1 calculates the load value L of the imageprocessing device 1 (#751 in FIG. 11). The image processing device 1requests and receives the load values L from the respective slave MFPs(#752). The image processing device 1 determines the smallest load valueL among its own load value L and the load values L of the respectiveslave MFPs (#753). The image processing device 1 updates the stored modedata 6G (#754). Specifically, using the result of the determination, theimage processing device 1 determines the value of the next mode. Theimage processing device 1 transmits the updated mode data 6G to eachslave MFP (#755). In a case where the image processing device 1 does nothave the smallest load value L (No in #756), the image processing device1 transmits the authentication data 6F to each slave MFP having thesmallest load value L, and deletes the stored authentication data 6F(#757).

In a case where the communication mode is the slave mode (No in #703),the image processing device 1 acquires the device data 6A of the imageprocessing device 1 (#708). In accordance with a request from the masterMFP, the image processing device 1 transmits its own device data 6A(#709).

The image processing device 1 calculates the load value L of the imageprocessing device 1 (#710), and transmits its own load value L inresponse to a request from the master MFP (#711). Upon receiving themode data 6G and the authentication data 6F from the master MFP, theimage processing device 1 stores these sets of data (#712). The processin steps #710 through #712 is performed in parallel with or before orafter the above described process in steps #708 and #709.

The image processing device 1 continues these processes until the powersupply to the image processing device 1 is turned off (No in #713).

According to this embodiment, it is possible to complete the process ofcollectively transmitting the device data 6A of the image processingdevices 1A through 1C with a shorter delay than that in a conventionalcase.

In this embodiment, each image processing device 1 acquires the devicedata 6A as data to be uploaded to the server 2, but may acquire someother data. For example, each image processing device 1 may acquire data(failure data) indicating the failure(s) that has (have) occurredtherein. Alternatively, to collect a usage fee from each user (or tocharge each user), each image processing device 1 may acquire data(charging data) indicating the job(s) executed by itself and the user(s)who instructed the image processing device 1 to execute the job(s).

In this embodiment, the master MFP acquires the device data 6A every dayand uploads the device data 6A to the server 2. However, the master MFPmay transmit the device data 6A at some other frequency. The frequencymay be determined as appropriate in accordance with the contents of thedevice data 6A and the environment of the image processing device 1.Likewise, in a case where data other than the device data 6A istransmitted, the frequency of acquisition and upload should bedetermined as appropriate in accordance with the contents of the data.For example, failure data may be acquired and uploaded every minute.Charging data may be acquired and uploaded the day before the settlementdate in each month.

In this embodiment, the data transmitting unit 122 deletes theauthentication data 6F when transmitting the authentication data 6F toanother image processing device 1 having the smallest load value L.However, the authentication data 6F may be stored in the authenticationdata storage unit 132 as it is. In such a case, the authentication data6F is not to be transmitted to the image processing device(s) 1 to whichthe authentication data 6F has been transmitted once.

In this embodiment, each image processing device calculates its own loadvalue. However, the master MFP may calculate load values. In this case,a slave MFP transmits its own job data 6C to the master MFP, instead ofcalculating its own load value L. The master MFP then calculates theload value L of the slave MFP in accordance with the job data 6Creceived from the slave MFP.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of transition of a load value L.In this embodiment, a slave MFP transmits the device data 6A and theload value L in response to a request from the master MFP. However, aslave MFP may voluntarily transmit the device data 6A or the load valueL immediately after acquiring the device data 6A or calculating the loadvalue L. Particularly, in a case where the load value L exceeds apredetermined value, it is desirable to immediately transmit the loadvalue L voluntarily. If a request from the master MFP is waited for insuch a case, completion of transmission is delayed, and the master MFPmight not be able to determine the next modes of the respective imageprocessing devices 1 before the required time.

Further, a load value L varies in a fairly regular manner in some cases.For example, in a case where the length of each period is one hour, anda certain image processing device 1 is used at a company or a governmentoffice, the load value L varies every day with the operations of theemployees with a tendency similar to that shown in FIG. 12. In otherwords, it is possible to predict a period (a time slot) during which theload value L becomes high.

Therefore, in a case where the current period is a period (the periodfrom 11:00 to 12:00 or the period from 12:00 to 13:00 in the exampleshown in FIG. 12) during which the load value L is predicted to exceed apredetermined value L0, a slave MFP may voluntarily transmit the devicedata 6A or the load value L immediately after the acquisition or thecalculation.

In this embodiment, during the current period, the master MFP determinesthe communication mode of the next period (the period immediately afterthe current period) of each image processing devices 1. However, thecommunication mode of a much later period having the same attribute asthe current period may be determined.

For example, in a case where the length of each period is one day, themaster MFP may determine the communication mode of the period that is aweek later. That is, if the current period is Monday, the communicationmode of next Monday may be determined. In such a case, however, thedefault master MFP must be set in advance for each day of the week (eachof the seven days of the week).

Likewise, in a case where the length of each period is one hour, themaster MFP may determine the communication mode of the same time slottomorrow. That is, if the current period is the time slot of 10:00 to11:00 am, the communication mode of the time slot of 10:00 to 11:00 amtomorrow may be determined. In such a case, however, the default masterMFP must be set in advance for each time slot (each of the 24 timeslots).

In this embodiment, the device data 6A of the image processing devices 1provided in the LAN 50, which is a local area network, is collectivelyuploaded to the server 2. However, the present invention can also beapplied in a case where the device data 6A of image processing devices 1provided in a network of some other form is collectively uploaded to theserver 2. For example, the present invention can be applied in a casewhere the device data 6A of image processing devices 1 provided in avirtual private network (VPN) is collectively uploaded to the server 2.

In this embodiment, the data of the image processing devices 1 iscollectively uploaded as the device data 6A to the server 2. However,the data of devices such as personal computers, tablet computers, ornetwork attached storages (NASs) may be collectively uploaded. In thiscase, the functions shown in FIG. 3 should be provided in these devices.In this embodiment, each image processing device 1 calculates the loadvalue L in accordance with the contents of the job being executed or onstandby for execution. However, the load value L may be calculated inaccordance with the contents of an already executed job. The load valueL may be regarded as being the magnitude of the load in a specificperiod in the future. For example, at 11:00 on a day, the load value Lis calculated in accordance with the contents of the job executed duringthe time slot from 9:00 to 10:00 on the day. This load value L is usedfor determining the communication mode of the next day. Alternatively,at a specific time in this time slot, a job for transmitting test datato the server 2 is generated, and the time at which the job is completedis calculated. The length from the specific time to the time of thecompletion of the job may be used as the load value L.

Further, the configurations of the entire data aggregation system 100,the entire LAN 50, the image processing devices 1, the configurations ofthe respective components of the data aggregation system 100, the LAN50, and the image processing devices 1, the contents of the processes,the sequence of the processes, the data structures, and the like may bechanged as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described andillustrated in detail, the disclosed embodiments are made for purposesof illustration and example only and not limitation. The scope of thepresent invention should be interpreted by terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device that is providedtogether with a plurality of other information processing devices in anetwork and is capable of communicating with a server, the informationprocessing device comprising: a data communicator that transmits apredetermined kind of information about the respective other informationprocessing devices to the server when the information processing deviceis in a first mode, and transmits the predetermined kind of informationabout the information processing device to a device functioning in thefirst mode among the other information processing devices when theinformation processing device is in a second mode; an acquisitor thatacquires load information about a load of each of the other informationprocessing devices; a determiner that determines a smallest load devicethat is the device having the smallest load among the other informationprocessing devices and the information processing device, in accordancewith the acquired load information and the load information about theinformation processing device; a mode setter that performs a modesetting process to realize a state where the device determined to be thesmallest load device is in the first mode, and the other devices are inthe second mode, among the other information processing devices and theinformation processing device; and a mode notifier that notifies theother information processing devices of the state.
 2. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the first mode is amaster mode, and the second mode is a slave mode.
 3. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the server is providedoutside the network.
 4. The information processing device according toclaim 1, which has a function to execute a job.
 5. The informationprocessing device according to claim 4, wherein the job is a job ofperforming image formation.
 6. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the job is one of a job of reading andprinting a document, a job of reading a document and transmitting theread document as image data to another device, and a job of receivingimage data from another device and printing an image.
 7. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined kindof information includes at least one piece of hardware-relatedinformation and expendable-related information.
 8. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the load information iscalculated in accordance with contents of a job being executed orscheduled to be executed.
 9. The information processing device accordingto claim 1, wherein, when the information processing device is in thefirst mode in a first period, and the information processing deviceremains in the first mode in a second period later than the firstperiod, the data communicator transmits the predetermined kind ofinformation about each of the other information processing devices tothe server in the second period, and, when the information processingdevice is in the first mode in the first period, and the informationprocessing device is put into the second mode in the second period, thedata communicator transmits the predetermined kind of information aboutthe information processing device to a device newly put into the firstmode among the other information processing devices in the secondperiod.
 10. The information processing device according to claim 1,wherein, when the information processing device is in the second mode ina first period, and the information processing device is put into thefirst mode in a second period later than the first period, the datacommunicator transmits the predetermined kind of information about theinformation processing device and the predetermined kind of informationabout each of the other information processing devices to the server inthe second period.
 11. The information processing device according toclaim 9, wherein, when the information processing device is in the firstmode in the first period, and the information processing device is putinto the second mode in the second period, the mode notifier sends datafor identifying a device to be newly put into the first mode among theother information processing devices to devices other than the devicenewly put into the first mode before the second period.
 12. Theinformation processing device according to claim 9, wherein the secondperiod is a period that follows the first period.
 13. The informationprocessing device according to claim 11, further comprising a storagethat stores authentication information for logging in to the server,wherein, when the information processing device is in the first mode inthe first period, and the information processing device is put into thesecond mode in the second period, the mode notifier transmits theauthentication information to a device newly put into the first modeamong the other information processing devices before the second period,and the data communicator transmits the predetermined kind ofinformation to the server after logging in to the server using theauthentication information.
 14. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 13, further comprising a deleter that deletes theauthentication information stored in the storage, after theauthentication information is transmitted.
 15. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the load information iscalculated in accordance with a history of executed print jobs.
 16. Theinformation processing device according to claim 9, wherein, when theinformation processing device is in the first mode in the first period,the acquisitor acquires the load information about each of the otherinformation processing devices in the first period, and the informationprocessing device further comprises a determination part that determinesbefore the second period into which one of the first mode and the secondmode the information processing device is to be put in the secondperiod, in accordance with the load information received from each ofthe other information processing devices and the load information aboutthe information processing device.
 17. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein, when the information processing deviceis put into the second mode in the second period, the data communicatortransmits the load information about the information processing deviceto a device newly put into the first mode among the other informationprocessing devices.
 18. The information processing device according toclaim 17, wherein the acquisitor acquires the load information abouteach of the other information processing devices by issuing a request ata predetermined timing, when the load indicated by the load informationabout the information processing to device exceeds a predeterminedmagnitude, the data communicator transmits the load information aboutthe information processing device to the device newly put into the firstmode without waiting for a request from the device newly put into thefirst mode among the other information processing devices, and, when theload indicated by the load information about information processingdevice does not exceed the predetermined magnitude, the datacommunicator transmits the load information about the informationprocessing device after the request is issued.
 19. A mode setting methodimplemented in an information processing device that is providedtogether with a plurality of other information processing devices in anetwork and is capable of communicating with a server, the methodcomprising: transmitting a predetermined kind of information about therespective other information processing devices to the server when theinformation processing device is in a first mode, and transmitting thepredetermined kind of information about the information processingdevice to a device functioning in the first mode among the otherinformation processing devices when the information processing device isin a second mode; acquiring load information about a load of each of theother information processing devices; determining a smallest load devicethat is the device having the smallest load among the other informationprocessing devices and the information processing device, in accordancewith the acquired load information and the load information about theinformation processing device; performing a mode setting process torealize a state where the device determined to be the smallest loaddevice is in the first mode, and the other devices are in the secondmode, among the other information processing devices and the informationprocessing device; and notifying the other information processingdevices of the state.
 20. A non-transitory recording medium storing acomputer readable program causing a computer to perform processing toform the information processing device according to claim 1.